Edison to provide information to state Public Utilities Commission on expanded power line project

Southern California Edison today is expected to turn over its assessments on five possible alternative power line routes through Chino Hills.

The response was ordered by the state Public Utilities Commission two months ago. At the same time the commission required Edison to halt construction on its Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project in the city.

The $2.1 billion power line project runs through a five-mile stretch of Chino Hills. It is intended to bring wind-generated electricity from Kern County to the Los Angeles Basin.

In its response to the PUC, Edison is expected to provide data on various alternatives:

Through Chino Hills State Park

Installing the wires underground

A route through the city and/or state park

Using the existing right-of-way but with shorter/more closely spaced towers

Ways to mitigate the impact of larger towers

For four years, the city has fought Edison with a lawsuit, arguing that its right-of-way through the city is too narrow for the larger power towers. The city has spent $2 million fighting Edison over the project.

Residents started an nonprofit group - Hope for the Hills - that opposes the construction while state and local politicians have also jumped on the bandwagon on the city's behalf.

Both the city and the grassroots group have been advocating the project be built underground or through the neighboring Chino Hills State Park.

In mid-October the Federal Aviation Administration ordered Edison to temporarily stop construction of the towers because they do not have the appropriate aircraft warning lights, a violation of requirements.

"In light of the recent events and filings that affect Segment 8 of the (project), I direct SCE to prepare testimony on alternatives or solutions to the current approved route for the transmission line," said Peevey in a news release on Nov. 10, when he ordered the testimony.

Edison officials said they will submit the required information - including feasibility, cost and timing of the alternatives - to the commission by the end of business today.

"It is a process that they (the commission) will review and look at," said Paul Klein, Edison spokesman.

Commission officials said following the filing by SCE on project alternatives, a further schedule will be developed.

"Typically a proceeding is assigned a commissioner and an administrative law judge," said Christopher Chow, PUC spokesman.

President of Hope for Hills Bob Goodwin said while they wait to hear what Edison provides, the group will take a trip north next week.

"We'll be going to Sacramento on Tuesday to meet with politicians to solicit their support and on Wednesday we plan to protest in San Francisco and try to get a meeting with the commission and the administrative law judge," said Goodwin.